Yesterday, Governor Josh Green signed two bills pertaining to water safety into law.

The Water Safety Day bill, (SB 2841), designates May 15 of each year as Water Safety Day in Hawai‘i. This initiative, propelled by the memory of Mina and Mark Hornor as well as other lives lost to drowning, underscores the  importance of water safety education. The bill aims to bring attention to the human stories behind every statistic, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent water-related tragedies.

The Governor also signed Senate Bill 116, which honors Duke Kahanamoku’s legacy by authorizing the issuance of special license plates commemorating the legendary figure. The funds raised from this license plate program will be distributed as drowning prevention grants across the state for programs such as junior lifeguards and learn-to-swim.

At the heart of these bills lies a collective effort from community advocates, including bereaved mothers Allison Schaefers and Shirley De Rego, who have tirelessly championed the cause of water safety. Their dedication, alongside the Hawai‘i Water Safety Coalition and Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, has propelled these initiatives through the legislative process.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for Hawai‘i keiki ages 1 to 15.  Hawaiʻi ranks second in the nation for the rate of drowning among residents.

Photo credit: Office of Governor Josh Green